The Healthwatch Southwark Advisory Board is a consultative body, supporting the Healthwatch Southwark staff team to deliver local Healthwatch in the borough.

Its core functions are to:

  • play a key role in advising on our strategy and priorities
  • ensure the involvement of local people in our work and decision-making
  • help make key decisions about how to use our powers
  • uphold our independence
  • support partnership working
  • represent us in wider stakeholder engagement and decision making structures i.e. NHS Trust, Local Authority

Click here to view the Advisory Board Terms of Reference Click here to view the Advisory Board Chair role description Click here to view the Advisory Board Member role description

Our Advisory Board currently consists of local residents:

Advisory Board Member - Sheona St Hilaire

Sheona St Hilaire joined the Healthwatch Southwark Advisory Board  in March 2021. Sheona is a committed individual that believes in the power of volunteering and the difference it can make locally and nationally. Sheona has several years of working in an advisory capacity (i.e. advisory panels and trusteeships) and appreciates the dedication and commitment that is required to support these roles.  

Sheona currently work as a teacher at a local school, and in her spare time she has volunteered in different health and social care organisations across South East London. Sheona has been very fortunate to build a professional network of health and social care organisations within the London Borough of Southwark, and she understands the important role third sector organisations and statutory health organisations play in terms of improving and meeting the health and social care needs of people who use these services.   

Advisory Board Member - Cedric Whilby

A Community Southwark trustee, Cedric acts as the link between the Healthwatch Southwark Advisory Board and the Community Southwark Trustee Board.

Advisory Board Deputy Chair - Graham Head

Graham Head joined the Healthwatch Southwark Advisory Board in March 2021. A Nunhead, Southwark resident for over thirty years, Graham has a long history of working in Healthcare, including stints as a hospital director and a population health analyst. Now retired, Graham is a trustee of a charity supporting clinicians working with adolescents.

Graham believes strongly that a local health and care service is at its best when it truly reflects the needs of the people it serves. An understanding of the local patient experience is vital - and all parts of the community must to be heard and involved in decision-making. Services must be as easy to access and navigate as possible. These are key aims of the local Southwark Healthwatch team, and Graham is pleased to be able to support them in their work.

Advisory Board Member - Mannah Edward Kargbo

Mannah Edward Kargbo joined the Healthwatch Southwark Advisory Board in April 2021. He has been a Southwark resident for more than fifteen years. He is presently serving as a school Governor in Peckham and as a member of a School Advisory Board in Camberwell. Additionally, he served two terms as a member of the Management Committee of Southwark Governors Association comprising of about 240 schools (both primary and secondary schools) in Southwark.

Mannah has diversified professional experience of working in the healthcare sector within the remit of promoting health and reducing health inequalities. By being an active member of Healthwatch Southwark, Mannah aims to play a pivotal role in advising Healthwatch Southwark on its key priorities and strategies, and to ensure the participation of local residents in decision making.

Advisory board Chair - Charlene Young

Charlene joined the Healthwatch Southwark Advisory Board in May 2023 and is the newly appointed Advisory Board Chair. She has lived in South London her whole life. Charlene is a Charity Trustee and an Advisory Board Member to various hospital panels, charities, and health organisations. She consults and collaborates with researchers and medical teams to inform and improve patient care.

Charlene strongly believes in advocating for groups that are underrepresented and face health inequalities. She has also been featured in multiple health and awareness campaigns for The NHS Foundation Trust, South East London Cancer Alliance and Bone Cancer Research Trust. Charlene aims to use her lived experience and passion for patient involvement to advise and support Healthwatch Southwark in making strategic decisions to amplify the voices of the local community.

Advisory Board Minutes

Click below to see the minutes from our latest Advisory Board meetings:

Healthwatch Southwark Advisory Board Meeting Dates 2024-25:

  • 30th May 2024 5.30-7pm 
  • 22nd August 2024 – 5.30-7pm 
  • 21st November 2024 – 5.30-7pm 
  • 20th February 2025 – 5.30-7pm

 

Are you interested in becoming an Advisory Board Member?  

We are currently recruiting new board members.  

If you would like to join our Advisory Board, please email a completed Application form to info@healthwatchsouthwark.org

Application form Join our Advisory Board leaflet 1 Join our Advisory Board leaflet 2

Other ways to get involved with us

We also have various ways you can support our work or get involved with us in the interim. 

Please refer to our volunteering page for more information.

Find out how to apply